Locally guided Blue Mountains 2-day hiking adventure

Itinerary

Day 1: Leura Cascades to Ruined Castle Campground

Pass By: Leura Cascades, Cliff Drive, Leura, New South Wales Australia
Our journey begins at our meeting point at 6.30am, where we will drive approximately 2 hours to Leura, the gateway to the beautiful Blue Mountains.

Leaving our bus behind, we will descend into the majestic Jamison Valley along the spectacular Leura Cascades track, crossing streams, walking under waterfalls and skirting along cliff edges.

Reaching the bottom, we will travel along the Federal Pass, beneath the iconic Three Sister's, stopping beside Katoomba Falls for a well-deserved rest and a fresh picnic lunch.

We will then make our way towards the first technical climbing feature for the trip; traversing the colossal landslide that flows from high above you into the valley floor below. Dipping back into sub-tropical rainforest, the track will curve around the valley, heading south towards the base of the Ruined Castle.

Swapping our larger packs for smaller day-bags, you will have the option to climb to the top of the Ruined Castle, a fantastic crumbling mountaintop providing us with the first glimpse of the Megalong Valley to the west and Warragamba Dam to the south. Descending via a different path, we will arrive back to our camp, tucked into the base of the mountain amongst scribbly gums, old man banksias, and soft tree ferns.

While your guides prepare a delicious meal, you will be able to set up camp and prepare for your first night out under the stars.

Meals included:
• Lunch: A kaleidoscope of fresh vegetables, cold meats/falafel and our life-changing caramelised onion relish, all wrapped up.
• Dinner: A 3-course feast; think cosy soups, followed by brocollini and bocconcini gnocchi and warm ginger-nut custard crumble.
Accommodation included: Camping out under the stars, in twin-share tents. Facilities in the campground include toilets and fresh drinking water.

Day 2: Mt Solitary - Katoomba

Pass By: Blue Mountains, Katoomba, New South Wales 2780 Australia
A beautiful wake-up call from the birds will rouse you, while your guides prepare a hot drink and warming breakfast.

After packing up camp, and equipping our daypacks, we will make a start towards the mighty Mt Solitary and begin the ascent up Koorowall Knife edge. The track starts gently, gradually climbing through a shady she-oak forest, with teasing glimpses of the view filtering through the trees. As we move towards the base of the rocks, we have time to stop, admire the landscape and catch our breath, before beginning the more technical ascent up the mountain.

This section will have us climbing over ledges, twisting around giant boulders, and skirting along the edge of the ridgeline towards the final summit. It’s a challenging part, but it’s also extremely exhilarating, and with the promise of a breathtaking view from the top, you will be inspired to reach the top.

Once there, we can rest a while in the dry sclerophyll forest, where yellow robins, black cockatoos and maybe even the rare peregrine falcon will join us, before reversing the process and descending back to camp for lunch.

After a nice rest, we can transfer our daypacks into our larger packs, and return along the same route, following the Federal Pass towards Katoomba. This time, we will stop just after Scenic World, and ascend the historic Furber Steps**.

With lighter packs, and stronger legs, this final challenge will lead us up and out of the valley, where will can climb gratefully onto the bus and relax on the 2hr journey home. Our estimated arrival time will be 6-7pm at Central Railway Station.

** Guests can also choose to ride the World's Steepest Railway out of the valley for a dramatic, (and less physical) end to the tour. One way tickets cost an additional $23 and can be bought on the day.

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Enjoy a nourishing bowl of warm porridge and assorted toppings served with fresh bush coffee and assorted native teas.
• Lunch: A kaleidoscope of fresh vegetables, cold meats/falafel and our life-changing caramelised onion relish, all wrapped up.
No accommodation included on this day.